Race preview: TrackTown City Center Mile, July 21st in Eugene

Joe Dudman running his favorite kind of race, at the 2011 Fifth Avenue Mile in New York City.Iris Dudman

One of the main things I like about road racing is being able to run through downtown streets that are usually bustling with auto traffic. Having major thoroughfares all to ourselves as we push ourselves to the max is one of the great thrills of a footrace. And one of the best ways to experience this is in an all-too-rare street mile.

Luckily, the mile distance seems to be achieving greater attention from race directors lately, with several events around the state this spring and summer. An exciting opportunity to push your limits for 5,280 feet is coming up in Eugene on Sunday, July 21st, at The TrackTown City Center Mile.

High School, Open, and Elite mile heats on a closed course in downtown Eugene will be interspersed with cycling criterium (multi-lap) races. With both running and cycling events going on all morning, there should be plenty of spectators lining the course, not to mention the fact that runners will be able to cheer on their two-wheeled comrades, and vice versa.